MLB report: Reds demote ex-closer Hoover to minors

LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (right knee) is scheduled to pitch Sunday for Class AAA Pawtucket in what could be his final rehab start before being activated from the disabled list and joining the rotation.

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C Miguel Montero (lower back tightness) will increase his hitting Sunday, manager Joe Maddon said. Maddon has no timetable for Montero's return, but he said the catcher is doing better. Montero went on the DL April 25.

Hoover was handed the closer's job in spring training after Aroldis Chapman was traded to the Yankees, but he allowed six home runs in 102⁄3 innings over 12 games and 17 earned runs overall for a 14.34 ERA. He had one save in two opportunities.

Texas Rangers

The club signed free-agent outfielder Drew Stubbs and moved injured slugger Josh Hamilton (knee) to the 60-day disabled list.

Stubbs was with Texas during spring training on a minor league deal, then refused assignment to Class AAA Round Rock and was released in late March. The Atlanta Braves picked him up, and he went 9-for-38 (.237) at the plate before being designated for assignment Monday. He was released Tuesday.

RHP A.J. Griffin left in the third inning Saturday at Detroit with stiffness in his throwing shoulder, snapping a streak of 33 starts in which he'd completed at least five innings.

The last time he went fewer than five innings in a game was April 22, 2013, at Boston, when he lasted only four. His was the third-longest active streak in baseball behind Jake Arrieta of the Chicago Cubs (43 games) and Madison Bumgarner of San Francisco (36).

This year is Griffin's first action in the majors since 2013. He had elbow surgery in April 2014.

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